‘Thought It Was Over for Me’ – Naomi Osaka Opens Up About Physical Struggles in Hilariously Painful Off-Season Confession

Naomi Osaka has a flair for humor, even as her season ended earlier than expected due to injuries. While the WTA Finals have concluded, the rest of the tennis world is gearing up for the Billie Jean King Cup in Malaga. Osaka, a former World No. 1, announced she wouldn’t be participating this year. Her last appearance at this event was in 2020, and she missed last year due to the birth of her daughter. This time, it’s her injuries keeping her off the court.

Fans were understandably concerned about Osaka’s health after she withdrew from the season in October. In a statement made in Tokyo, she revealed that she wouldn’t compete in the Billie Jean King Cup due to a ruptured abdominal muscle. “I thought I strained my back, but I did an MRI in Beijing and they said that I bulged a disc in my back and I also ruptured abdominal muscles,” Osaka explained to Japan’s Kyodo News agency. Thankfully, she is now focusing on rest and recovery to get back to full health.

Despite her setbacks, Osaka shared a humorous glimpse of her fitness journey on Instagram. She posted a photo of an open road with the caption, “I thought it was over for me.” The player seems to have a knack for making a fun appearance on her story. Most recently, she posted what looked like her in a late Halloween costume of her in a car dressed as Wonder Woman. Although her face wasn’t visible, she captioned the story saying, “Straight off the plane to go trick or treating.” Which perfectly captures her wit!

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Just like that, referencing the earlier story from her run. She took to Threads to elaborate on her feelings of defeat, writing, “When the run was so difficult that you have to sit and think about your life afterward.” Even though, looking back on her career, it’s clear she has much to be proud of after 11 years in the sport.

via Reuters

Although her 2024 season didn’t go as planned, Osaka remains one of the few Asian players with four Grand Slam singles titles and seven WTA Tour titles, including two at the Premier Mandatory level. For now, she may be off the court focusing on her health, but fans can expect great things from her in the 2025 season. Her coach Patrick Mouratoglou can certainly attest to that!

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Mouratoglou reveals Naomi’s vision for the 2025 season!Currently ranked No. 59, Naomi Osaka is gearing up to reclaim her place in the tennis world! This year she appeared as a wildcard entry at the US Open and played until the China Open in September. This is where an unfortunate injury forced her to retire during her round-of-16 match against Coco Gauff. Undoubtedly, this year hasn’t been her best, but Osaka’s determination to rise again is nothing short of inspiring.

Speaking with Sky Sports, Patrick Mouratoglou stated, “She’s extremely motivated to come back and win Grand Slams, and it’s a pleasure for me because that’s the dream of every coach: to have a player who has that level of motivation,” The two joined forces in September after her split with Wim Fisette, who is now working with the Polish player Iga Swiatek. While Fissette helped her snag two Grand Slam titles, it’s been a tough journey for Osaka. “First, she had this mental health issue, and then she had a baby. So she’s been out, and then she restarted the year this season and it was not a very good season,” he admitted.

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Over the years, the Japanese player has been quite candid about juggling mental health challenges and the demands of being a new mom. However, according to Mouratoglou, she approached him first. Although she admitted to being hesitant to work with him because of his legendary status as Serena Williams’ coach. Thankfully, she quickly realized he was exactly what she needed. “He absolutely is a really good coach,” she said

Every player has a unique experience with their coach, and this pair is no exception. While Naomi knows her recent form has dipped, coach Mouratoglou remains optimistic about their future together. He sees a fire in Osaka that mirrors Williams’ drive, which could be the key to greatness for both players. The road back to the top hasn’t been easy for Osaka, but she’s taking all the necessary steps to make a comeback. Do you think fans will see a new and improved Naomi Osaka when the 2025 season rolls around? Share your thoughts in the comments below!